**Paras City – Hospital Ward, Deep Midnight**
Moonlight slipped through the half-closed blinds like spilled silver, painting thin, trembling bars across the white sheets. The room was quiet except for the soft, steady beep of the heart monitor and the faint whisper of the air conditioner. A small vase of wildflowers—gathered by Wano from the slowly healing jungle—sat on the side table; their petals glowed faintly in the dark, fragile and defiant. The scent of antiseptic mixed with faint jasmine—clean, but not quite enough to cover the lingering smell of grief.
Yuki lay in the bed—pale skin almost translucent under the moonlight, IV line taped to her thin arm, black hair splayed across the pillow like spilled ink. Her unsealed crimson eye stared at the ceiling—wide, unblinking, reflecting the moon like a ruby drowned in sorrow. The sealed eye remained hidden beneath fresh bandages. She looked smaller than she ever had—hollowed out, as if someone had reached inside her chest and stolen the fire that used to burn there.
She whispered to the empty room—voice hoarse, cracked, barely louder than her own heartbeat.
"Why… did he leave me?"
The words hung in the air—small, broken, unanswered.
Astra sat in the chair beside her—small hands wrapped tightly around hers, silver eyes heavy with exhaustion and unshed tears. He hadn't slept properly in days. His tail curled tightly around the chair leg, trembling slightly, as if trying to anchor himself to something that wouldn't disappear. He didn't speak—just stared at her hand, thumb brushing gently over her knuckles again and again, slow and rhythmic, like a silent lullaby he hoped she could still feel.
Blu stood near the door—arms folded, cape draped over one arm like a fallen banner. His glowing blue eyes were fixed on Yuki, but his face was a mask—half anger, half sorrow, half something heavier: guilt for not seeing the fracture sooner, for not stopping it before it shattered her.
Suddenly—he remembered something sharp, something important.
"Yuki."
Yuki turned her head slowly—crimson eye focusing on him, tired but alert, searching.
"Yes… President Blu?"
Blu's voice was low, serious—cutting through the quiet like a blade through fog.
"As you described… you tried to hit Honokage with a gun?"
Yuki nodded weakly—voice small, almost ashamed, fingers tightening around Astra's hand.
"Yes… but it was a joke. Completely. I knew the bullet wouldn't do anything in water. I thought… he'd laugh. Like always. Like we always laughed."
Blu's expression darkened—jaw tightening, eyes narrowing until they were slits of glowing blue steel.
Even Astra felt the shift in the air—sudden pressure, cold and heavy, like the room itself had taken a breath and held it.
Blu stepped closer—each footfall deliberate, voice dropping until it was almost a whisper.
"Why did you do it? You don't know… curses fear gunpowder?"
Yuki's eye widened—shock slicing through the haze like a cold blade.
"Hono-kun… fears gunpowder!?"
Blu nodded—grim, certain, every word weighted.
"Exactly. They are ancient, different beings. They might grow powerful beyond imagination… but gunpowder works beyond poison for them. It can cause real, permanent death—even to something like him."
Yuki stared at her hands—trembling now—as the realization sank in like ice water pouring down her spine.
"So… that's why he left me?"
Her voice cracked—barely a whisper.
Blu sighed—deep, heavy, carrying the weight of everything he wished he could undo.
"That's why he saw you as a death threat. And he quit… and stayed away."
Yuki's crimson eye filled with tears—glistening, spilling over, tracing silent paths down her cheeks.
"So it means… I pushed him far from me?"
Blu's tone softened—just a fraction, but enough to show the pain he felt too.
"Technically… yes. You are the cause."
Astra squeezed her hand tighter—small voice fierce, trembling with anger and protectiveness.
"But it was just a joke… he didn't have to hurt you! He didn't have to leave you to die!"
Yuki didn't answer—just stared at the ceiling again, tears slipping silently down her temples, soaking into the pillow. Her chest rose and fell unevenly—each breath a quiet sob she tried to swallow.
A few minutes passed—silence thick, suffocating, broken only by the monitor's steady beep.
Blu exhaled—turning toward the door, cape rustling softly.
"Okay, Yuki. Take care. We're going."
Astra stood—hesitated—looked back at her.
A single tear escaped his silver eye—falling slowly, catching the moonlight.
He whispered—barely audible, voice breaking.
"Get better soon, Sista… please."
Then they left.
The door clicked shut—soft, final.
Yuki closed her eye—clutching her heart through the gown, fingers digging in as if she could hold the pieces together.
Sleep came—fitful, unwilling, dragging her down.
In her dream—
Honokage stood in front of her—red eyes cold, empty, distant.
He turned away—slow, deliberate.
She reached—screaming his name, voice shattering.
He vanished into shadow.
Yuki woke with a gasp—breathing heavily, covered in sweat, heart pounding against her ribs like it wanted to escape.
The monitor beeped faster for a moment—then steadied.
She stared into the dark—alone.
Tears slipped down her cheeks again—silent, unstoppable.
**Blu's Mansion – Same Night**
Blu walked into his private quarters—lights low, city skyline visible through the tall windows, half-rebuilt towers glowing faintly like hopeful stars in the dark.
Astra followed—silent, head down, tail dragging behind him.
Blu stopped—turned to him, voice gentle but firm.
"From now on, you stay here until Yuki recovers."
Astra didn't smile—just nodded, sat on the edge of the bed, small body curling in on itself.
"I hope she gets better soon…"
Blu placed a hand on his shoulder—gentle, steady.
"She will. She's strong. And she has you."
Astra looked up—silver eyes hollow, lost.
Blu's voice softened further.
"Good. Stay in this room. If you need anything—call me."
He left—door closing quietly.
Astra sat alone—window open, moonlight falling across his back like a blanket he didn't want.
He turned toward the bed—about to lie down.
Then—he remembered.
Flashes of memories—warm, bright, painful now.
Watching late-night movies with Yuki—her laughing at silly scenes, throwing popcorn at him, teasing him when he lost at Uno.
Going to the zoo together—her holding his hand, pointing at animals, Honokage trailing behind with a fond smirk, all three laughing under the sun.
Her cute smile—always bright, always there, always for him.
First training with Sensei Sai—strict but kind, proud when Astra got something right.
Sai leaving—door sealed, emptiness swallowing everything.
Blu becoming his master—hard, but safe.
Back to reality.
Astra stared at the bed—expression blank.
No smile.
No tears.
No response.
Just… hollow silver eyes.
He closed them—fell onto the bed.
The camera panned upward—Paras City night sky.
Yuki's faint, smiling image shimmered across the moon—like a memory caught in light, fading slowly.
**Next Morning – Blu's Mansion**
Astra woke—rubbing his eyes, silver hair messy, heart still heavy.
A maid opened the door—gentle knock.
"You're awake, Astra?"
Astra nodded—quiet.
He walked to the main hall—met Blu.
Blu—without looking up from his tablet—spoke.
"Astra… stay inside the mansion today. I have meetings. Tomorrow we train together."
Astra nodded—voice small.
"Okay, Master."
Blu left—door closing.
Astra stood alone.
He closed his eyes—silver flames flickered.
A dummy version of himself appeared—perfect replica, able to talk, move, act like him.
The real Astra teleported away.
**Great Jungle – Hidden Grove**
Astra compressed his energy—hiding his presence from Wano and everyone else.
He walked through the recovering jungle—quiet, barefoot on soft earth.
Trees were growing again—saplings tall now, leaves green and hopeful. Birds sang cautiously. Monkeys watched from branches, curious but unafraid.
Astra sighed—voice barely a whisper.
"I need time…"
He found a garden of wildflowers—bright, resilient—sat, then lay down among them, legs crossed, staring at the sky.
Memories flooded in—soft, painful, beautiful.
His mother Monika—gentle, fierce, gone in fire.
The genocide—planet burning, screams, loss.
Arrival on Earth—alone, terrified.
Yuki finding him—raising him like her own.
Learning to tease from her—her laugh when he got her back.
First time at the zoo—Yuki holding his hand, Honokage trailing, all three laughing.
First training with Sensei Sai—strict but kind.
Sai leaving—door sealed, emptiness.
Blu becoming his master—hard, but safe.
Astra smiled—small, sad, real.
"All of the memories were good…"
Suddenly—a scream pierced the quiet.
A soft white-furred kitten ran for her life—tiny legs pumping, pink eyes wide with terror, black horns glinting in the sun.
Behind her—three wolves chased, growling, hungry, closing fast.
Astra stood instantly—expression hardening.
"A kitten?"
He teleported—appeared in front of the wolves.
"Stop chasing her."
The wolves skidded to a halt—growling low, teeth bared.
Astra raised his hand—silver flames gathered, crackling with quiet threat.
"Go away. Or I will shoot."
The wolves turned—fled into the trees, tails low.
Astra knelt—picked up the kitten gently, cradling her against his chest.
"You're safe now."
The kitten meowed—watching him with wide pink eyes.
Astra noticed—small black horns on her head, pink eyes, golden symbol on her forehead glowing softly.
He tilted his head—voice soft.
"You aren't normal… are you a demon kitten?"
The kitten nodded—once, shy.
Astra—gentle smile.
"Can you understand me?"
Nod.
"Can you talk too?"
She shook her head—no.
Astra—soft.
"Okay. From now on… I'll give you a name. You are Nova."
The kitten tilted her head—meowed softly.
"Meova?"
Astra laughed—small, real, the first true laugh in days.
"Yeah… Nova. Nova."
He patted her head—she purred, nuzzling into his palm.
"You're cute."
Nova escaped his lap—sat on the ground.
Astra—confused.
"What happened?"
Nova pointed with her paw—right direction.
Astra—curious.
"Is there something?"
Nova—meow (means: Follow)
She moved.
Astra followed.
They went through the jungle—monkeys watching from branches, tigers growling softly in the distance, koalas on trees, pandas chewing bamboo lazily.
Nova stopped—at an old, abandoned shrine—stone cracked, vines crawling over it, roof half-collapsed.
She entered the center.
Astra floated closer—cautious.
"Nova, wait… this could be dangerous."
She came out—holding a blue glowing gem in her mouth.
Dropped it into Astra's hand.
Astra stared—confused.
"What is it?"
Nova—meow meow (means: It's a manipulative gem)
Astra—curious.
He placed his thumb on it.
The gem glowed—bright blue.
It shape-shifted—turned into a shining blue pole—crystal pure, perfect.
Astra—shocked—dropped it.
"A weapon?"
He picked it up—swung slowly.
Smiled.
"This is fun."
The pole shifted—became a blue pistol gun.
Astra—eyes wide.
"A gun?"
He aimed at a tree—shot.
Bullet pierced the trunk—exploded it into splinters.
Astra—grinning.
"I understand… It can shape-shift into anything I imagine!"
Nova nodded—proud, tail swishing.
Astra pocketed the gem—picked up Nova.
"Thanks, Nova."
He teleported back to Blu's mansion.
The dummy version faded instantly.
Astra sat on the bed—patted Nova's head.
"I didn't know you knew this much."
Nova gave a warm kitten smile.
Suddenly—door opened.
Astra hid Nova behind him—quick.
Blu entered.
"Astra… have you gone anywhere else?"
Astra—lying smoothly.
"No, Master. I was here."
Blu raised an eyebrow—suspicious.
"Are you sure?"
Astra held the lie—until he met Blu's eyes.
He sighed—shoulders dropping.
"I went to the jungle… to spend some time alone."
Blu—calm.
"That's good… but you could have told someone. So—punishment for lying."
Astra nodded—quiet.
Then Nova peeked out—sat on his lap, looking at Blu curiously.
Blu—tilting his head.
"You adopted a demon kitten?"
Astra panicked—protective.
"No… this is my friend. I saved her and she gave me a blue gem."
He handed the gem to Blu.
Blu observed it—impressed.
"I see… this gem can shape-shift into any weapon you imagine. Overpowered. A good gift from this kitten."
He gave it back.
"Alright. Keep it. Since you saved someone—punishment canceled."
Blu left—door closing.
Astra smiled widely—hugged Nova.
"Thank youuu for saving me!"
Nova smiled—then blushed when Astra kissed her fur cheek.
She backed off—scratched his face rapidly.
Turned to the wall—angry.
Astra—laughing softly.
"It's okay… don't be angry."
Nova—meow (means: You are bad)
Hours passed—talking with Nova.
Astra told stories—Nova nodded, yawned, purred.
After dinner—
Astra slept on the bed—peaceful for the first time in days.
Nova stretched—curled her tail—slept beside him.
**Next Morning – Mountain Training Grounds**
Blu called Astra again.
Astra left Nova sleeping in the mansion—teleported.
He stood—energetic, stretching his arms, silver eyes brighter than they'd been in weeks.
"What's today's training, Master?"
Blu—arms folded, voice steady.
"Since you have the shape-shifting weapon… we will master it. And I will teach you how to fight in the sky… and fight without breaking anything."
Astra nodded—determined, fists clenched.
"Sure."
Blu—serious, eyes sharp.
"Also… next week a tournament is being hosted. You must participate. Strong warriors from many countries are coming. You will fight for Paras City—for all of Japan. So keep it in mind. We need to win."
Astra—shocked, eyes widening.
"A tournament?"
Blu nodded—firm.
"Yes. And Yuki will watch you fight for the first time. So don't waste time. Train harder."
Astra smiled—bright, fierce, silver eyes burning with new purpose.
"Sure, Master. I will make my sister, you, Paras City, and Japan proud."
Blu—small smile, rare and genuine.
"That's the spirit I recommend."
The mountain wind blew—carrying the promise of battles to come.
And somewhere—far beneath the waves—Honokage swam alone.
Still.
Silent.
Unsure if he could ever go back.